The UN Security Council condemned “the horrifying terrorist attack” at the Radisson hotel in Mali’s capital in the strongest terms and expressed support to Malian authorities in their fight against terrorist groups.
The council issued a statement late Friday calling on the authorities to swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice, AP reported.
The UN’s most powerful body also “strongly condemned any action that may undermine the peace process in Mali”.
The council reaffirmed the need to combat threats to international peace and security “caused by terrorist acts”.
State of Emergency
Following the deadly assault on a hotel, Mali’s president has announced a 10-day state of emergency and three days of national mourning in the wake of the attack claimed by the militant group al-Mourabitoun.
The West African nation’s leader also said 21 people died in the assault and declared three days of national mourning.
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita announced on Friday that the attack on the Radisson Blu resort hotel in the capital Bamako left 21 dead, including the two militants killed in a firefight with Malian commandos and international forces.
A UN official earlier said the death toll had reached 27 people after a preliminary count of the bodies.
The attack began at 7 a.m. when militants entered the luxurious tourist destination, taking more than 150 guests hostage.
“At first I thought it was a carjacking. Then they killed two guards in front of me and shot another man in the stomach and wounded him, and I knew it was something more,” said Malian legal expert Modi Coulibaly, who witnessed the attack begin.
After nine hours, the attack came to a close after Malian security forces killed two militants and freed the remaining hostages.
